BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 33^ 



above whom (in point of due policy) they ought to hold fome de- 

 gree of diftinilion. They would then form the centre of con- 

 nexion between the two extremes, producing a regular eftablifh- 

 ment of three ranks of men, dependent on each other, and rifing 

 in a proper climax of fubordinatiou, in which the Whites would 

 hold the higheft place. I can forefee no mifchief that can arife 

 from the enfranchifement of every Mulatto child. If it be objedted, 

 that fuch a plan may tend to encourage the illicit commerce of 

 which I have been complaining ; I reply, that it will be more likely 

 to reprefs it, becaule, although the planters are at prefent very in- 

 different about the birth of fuch children upon their eflates, 

 knowing that they will either labour for them like their other 

 flaves, or produce a good price, if their fathers fliould Incline to 

 purchafe them ; yet they will difcountenance fuch intercourfes as 

 much as lies in their power (when it ihall no longer be for their 

 interefl: to connive at them), and ufe their endeavours to multiply 

 the unmixed breed of their Blacks. Befules, to expeil that men. 

 will wholly abftain from this commerce, if it was even liable to- 

 the fevereft penalties of law, would be abfurd ; for, fo long as 

 fome men have paflions to gratify, they will feek the indulgence 

 of them by means the mofl agreeable, and leafl inconvenient, to 

 themfelves. It will be of fome advantage, as things are circum- 

 ftanced, to turn unavoidable evils to the benefit of Ibciety, as the 

 beft reparation that can be made for this breach of its moral and 

 political inftitutions. A wife phyfician will flrive to change an 

 acute diftemper into one lefs malignant; and his patient compounds 

 for a flight chronic indiipofition, fohe may get relief from a violent 

 and mortal one. I do not judge fo lightly of the prefent ftate of 

 fornication in the ifland, as to fuppofe that it can ever be more 

 flourifliiiig, or that the emancipation of every Mulatto child will 

 prove a means of augmenting the annual number. The retrieving 

 them from profound ignorance, affording them infl:ru£lion in 

 Chriflian morals, and obliging them to ferve a regular apprentice- 

 ihip to artificers and tradefmen, would make them orderly fubjeils, 

 and faithful defenders of the country.. It may, with greater weight, 

 h.e objeded, that fuch a meafure would deprive the planters of a, 



part 



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